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The Examination

How Imperial Brands’ contract kept cigarette prices low in Laos — while secretly enriching a political insider

The deal delivered millions to an in-law of the former president, Bounnhang Vorachit, while blocking tobacco tax hikes for 25 years.

June 17, 2025
The Examination

UK lawmaker seeks to delay heated tobacco ban after industry-funded trip

As public health experts warn of the dangers of heated tobacco products like IQOS, Lord Ed Vaizey argued that they should be excluded from a landmark ban pending further study – after touring Philip Morris International's lab.

June 1, 2025
The Examination

How industry capture of Filipino officials helped deadlock global tobacco control negotiations

A presidential agenda, pro-industry proposals and a probe — documents reveal Big Tobacco’s influence in the Philippines and on the international stage.

May 6, 2025
The Examination

A scientist is paid to study maple syrup. He’s also paid to promote it.

Funded by the maple industry, a researcher has exaggerated his findings to suggest that syrup could help prevent serious diseases.

April 15, 2025
The Examination

Grünenthal pushed its latest opioid as a safer option. People around the world got hooked.

Fueled by misleading marketing claims, the German drugmaker’s painkiller tapentadol is on the rise.

March 20, 2025